Mary Nicolson to Abigail Adams

[dateline] Plymouth June 16 1775

[salute] Dear Mrs. Adams

I hoped [long?]1 ere now to have Been at Braintree, but evry circumstance has hitherto been Against
me. I have been very unwell ever since I left you, have not been Abroad for a month,
tho not wholly confined all that time. A repeated sore throat and Eyes, has been the
difficulty, this has prevented my being ready to go to you, but had I been ever so
much so, no Opportunity of conveying even a Bundle has offer'd yet. All carriges that
pass between Roxbury and this are filld with things for the Army. Indeed I might go
in a whale Boat, with the party of our Troops who are going after another load of
flour, round by way of Yarmouth and so by Germantown to Sopers landing, but tis a
voiage I beg to be excused from. More over all our folks are so averse to my going
while an Attack is hourly expected, that I know not what to do. For my part I am no
more Apprehensive of danger at Braintree than Plymouth. Poor Charly wants Aunt
Polly I believe, and I want to fit him as much, but dont desire you to wait for my
Assistance especialy for things of Necessity, as I will soon see you and run my chance
of being Taken Prisoner, if by any possible means I can get along for I pine for my
Old friends. I am as far from them that is knowing any thing of them only by common
fame, as If I was in So. Carolina. It would be a great deed of Charity in all or any
of [them]2 to write to me. I am Just famishd for a letter from some of you. I received one from
Miss Eunice wednesday per Mr. John Johnston, by whom I wrote to her. Tis more Trouble
to send a Letter to Taunton than England, but there are very few days pass in which
you might not send here as people are constantly passing to and from the Camp. We
are all Surrounded by Troops. Our house is Officers Quarters, and the head Quarters
adjoining. Give my love to Mrs. Cranch and family, Mr. Palmers and family. Tell them
I
hope soon to see or hear from them, that I did not know the Boats with flour would
go to Germantown, or I would conveyd some things along for the Colonel. Heaven Preserve
you all in Peace and safety so prays your Affectionate Friend & Servt.,